Richard Dunbar, Managing Director
As the Managing Director of Nexus Planning and Research, Richard Dunbar is focused on delivering original, high quality research to his clients. Richard is a specialist in public policy planning and market research. His areas of expertise include both qualitative and quantitative research, particularly for tourism, transport and local government clients.

Before setting up Nexus Planning and Research Ltd, Richard was a Director of a number of market research companies, including ACNielsen, Heylen Research Centre, Research International and McDermott Miller.

Richard has a degree in economics from the University of London and a post-graduate diploma in town planning.  He is a fellow and former President, of the Market Research Society of New Zealand and is a member of the New Zealand Planning Institute. 

Richard's CV

Julie MacKenzie, Research Director
Julie MacKenzie is a highly experienced market researcher, with a broad knowledge of research techniques and solutions.  Julie's 16 years experience in NZ and the UK, in qualitative and quantitative research, gives her a strong understanding of client information needs, and what is required to meet those needs.  Julie aims to provide clear, compelling information that her clients can act on.

Julie has worked for a number of market research companies including ACNielsen, TNS (UK), and Heylen Research Centre.

Julie's expertise lies in her ability to design, implement, interpret and deliver high quality market research solutions to complex client issues. She is able to utilise multivariate statistical technqiues to uncover insights hidden in the data.

Julie has a M.Soc.Sc. (Psychology) and a  Dip. in Applied Statistics (from Massey).  

Julie's CV

Toni Griffin, Research Director
With over ten years in professional research, Toni Griffins has a strong quantitative focus combined with the ability to integrate qualitative research to provide the complete picture to clients.

Dedicated to concise and useable results, Toni enjoys adding value through the research process by interpreting and presenting research in a meaningful and insightful way.

Toni has experience in a wide range of sectors including travel and tourism, government , telecommunications and IT, finance, health, housing and arts, entertainment and leisure.  She has highly developed skills in strategy and policy, ethnic research, commercial activities and customer satisfaction. 

Toni has a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Psychology from Waikato University.

Erica Munro
Erica Munro has been in the field of research for twelve years, beginning in the health sector.  She has worked both in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Italy.  She brings to Nexus a wealth of international experience and qualitative specialist experiences. 

Erica finished her stint in the United Kingdom and returned to working in New Zealand in 2005.  Juggling career and family, Erica is a dedicated freelancer, and has focused much of her research in social planning, finance, tourism and the health sector.

Erica has a Bachelor of Social Sciences from Waikato University and has her Cambridge/RSA CELTA Certificate from The British Council, Milan, Italy.  Erica is also a qualified nurse.

In her 15 years in market research, Karen has worked with a broad range of clients in numerous sectors including the government sector and not-for-profit organisations, FMCG, tourism, finance, and agriculture.  Karen has worked for Colmar Brunton as a Group Account Director, ACNielsen (Singapore) where she headed the International Research business  team, and TNS (Singapore) as a Key Account  Research Director.

Karen’s particular area of interest is social sector evaluation research focussing on health, education, gender and ethnicity. 

Karen has a MA (Education), Diploma of Business (Marketing) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Social Sector Evaluation. Karen works with Nexus on a project by project basis.

Karen's CV